Throughflow controller

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sanitary insert part ( 1 ) having an insert housing ( 2 ), which ( 2 ) includes in a housing interior thereof a functional element ( 3 ) that controls throughflow and that has at least one throughflow orifice ( 4 ). The insert part according to the invention is characterized in that at least one throughflow opening ( 4 ) is delimited by a peripheral wall, the shape of which can be changed against a restoring force as a result of the pressure of the inflowing water in such a manner that the at least one throughflow orifice ( 4 ) has a variable orifice cross section which can be changed, in dependence on the pressure of the inflowing water, between an open position and a minimized position having a reduced orifice cross section by comparison.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a sanitary insert part having an inserthousing, which has in the housing interior thereof a functional elementthat controls throughflow and that has at least one throughflow orifice.

A sanitary insert part of the type mentioned in the introduction isknown for example as a jet regulator. The previously known jetregulators routinely have an insert housing which can be mounted, eitherdirectly or with the aid of an outlet mouthpiece, on the water outlet ofa sanitary outlet fitting. A jet splitter is provided in the housinginterior of the insert housing and has throughflow orifices, whichdivide the inflowing water into a plurality of individual jets. Theindividual jets produced in the throughflow orifices experience such anacceleration that a negative pressure is produced on the outflow side ofthe jet splitter. With the aid of this negative pressure produced on theoutflow side of the jet splitter, ambient air is drawn into the housinginterior of the insert housing and can be mixed thoroughly there withthe individual jets before the water mixed thoroughly with air in thisway flows out from the jet regulator housing as a homogeneous,non-splashing and effervescent complete jet.

Throughflow rate controllers have already been created so that thewater, independently of the water pressure, does not exceed a specificfixed water volume per unit of time. Throughflow rate controllers thatcan be arranged upstream of a jet regulator in the throughflow directionor that can be arranged between such a jet regulator and an add-onscreen on the inflow side are thus already known. Such a functional unitcomprised of throughflow rate controller and jet regulator has acomparatively large installed length however or is structured in acomplex manner and from many parts.

SUMMARY

In particular, the object is therefore to create a sanitary insert partof the type mentioned in the introduction which, independently ofpressure, can limit the water flowing through to a fixed maximumthroughflow volume per unit of time and which is nevertheless structuredin a comparatively compact and simple manner.

With the sanitary insert part of the type mentioned in the introduction,the solution to this problem according to the invention consists, inparticular in that at least one throughflow orifice is delimited by aperipheral wall, the shape of which can be changed against a restoringforce as a result of the pressure of the inflowing water in such a waythat the at least one throughflow orifice has a variable orifice crosssection which can be changed, in accordance with the pressure of theinflowing water, between an open position and a minimum position havingreduced orifice cross section by comparison.

The insert part according to the invention, which can be interposed in awater line or can be mounted on the water outlet of a sanitary outletfitting, has, in the housing interior of its insert housing, afunctional element that controls throughflow. This functional elementhas at least one throughflow orifice, of which at least one throughfloworifice is delimited by a peripheral wall, the shape of which can bechanged against a restoring force as a result of the pressure of theinflowing water in such a way that the at least one throughflow orificehas a variable orifice cross section which can be changed, in accordancewith the pressure of the inflowing water, between an open position and aminimum position of reduced orifice cross section by comparison. Withincreasing water pressure, the orifice cross section of the at least onethroughflow orifice is thus likewise increasingly reduced in such a waythat, independently of the water pressure, a specific fixed maximumvolume flow rate (volume per unit of time) is not exceeded. Withdecreasing water pressure, the orifice cross section of the at least onethroughflow orifice is increasingly enlarged again, such that, with alow initial pressure, the orifice cross section corresponding to theopen position is provided. The functional element that controlsthroughflow provided in the insert part according to the invention makesan additional throughflow rate controller superfluous and allows acompact and simple embodiment of the sanitary insert part according tothe invention.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention thefunctional element is formed at least in two parts and comprises atleast one functional element, comprising the at least one peripheralwall delimiting at least one throughflow orifice, and a support partbearing the at least one functional part.

If at least one spring element effective between the functional part andsupport part is to be dispensed with, it is advantageous if the supportpart bearing the at least one functional part is produced from amaterial that is dimensionally stable compared with the functional parton the inflow side and/or has an at least partly higher component partstiffness by comparison.

In accordance with a development according to the invention a waterpressure acting on the inflow side of the functional element at least inthe region of the at least one throughflow orifice in the throughflowdirection causes a change in shape of the functional part or causes amaterial displacement at the functional part that can be converted intoa radial constriction movement of the at least one peripheral walldelimiting at least one throughflow orifice. In the case of thisdeveloping embodiment, the water pressure acting at least in the regionof the at least one throughflow orifice on the inflow side of thefunctional element in the throughflow direction may cause a compressionof the functional element and thus a change in shape or a materialdisplacement that can be converted simultaneously into a correspondingradial constriction movement of the at least one peripheral walldelimiting at least one throughflow orifice and thus into a reduction ofthe clear orifice cross section.

Here, it may be advantageous if the change in shape or materialdisplacement caused by the water pressure is an at least partialthickness reduction, cross section reduction, height reduction orcompression of the functional part.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to the invention theat least one peripheral wall delimiting a throughflow orifice has ashaping that converts an application of pressure, caused by the waterpressure, in the axial direction into a radial constriction movement ofthis peripheral wall. Due to the particular shaping of the peripheralwalls each delimiting a throughflow orifice, the function unit accordingto the invention can limit the throughflow in a defined or fixed range.

Here, in accordance with particularly simple and functionally reliableexemplary embodiments, in order to convert an application of pressure inthe axial direction into a radial constriction movement, the at leastone peripheral wall delimiting a throughflow orifice either has, on theouter periphery at its free end region as oriented in the throughflowdirection, a run- on bevel that cooperates with a mating bevel on thesupport part, or has a constriction with a peripheral bending zoneprotruding into the throughflow orifice. In these preferred exemplaryembodiments the peripheral walls each delimiting a throughflow orificehave a shaping that converts an application of pressure, caused by thewater pressure, in the axial direction into a defined radialconstriction movement of these peripheral walls.

It is expedient if the at least one peripheral wall delimiting at leastone throughflow orifice is formed as a nozzle-shaped formation of thefunctional part.

So that the orifice cross section of the at least one throughfloworifice changes as a result of the pressure of the inflowing water, itmay be advantageous if the at least one nozzle-shaped formation of thefunctional part dips into an insert orifice in the support part.

So that the orifice cross section of the at least one throughfloworifice changes as a result of the pressure of the inflowing water, itmay be advantageous if the at least one insert orifice tapers,preferably conically, in the throughflow direction, thus forming amating bevel, in such a way that an axial feed movement of thenozzle-shaped formation can be converted into a radial constrictionmovement, for example at least in the free end region of the formation.If the water pressure acting on the functional part on the inflow sidecauses an axial feed movement also of the at least one nozzle-shapedformation formed integrally on the functional part, this axial feedmovement is simultaneously converted into a radial constriction movementin the region of the at least one formation in such a way that theorifice cross section of the throughflow orifice changes increasingly,in accordance with the pressure of the inflowing water, from an openposition into a minimum position of reduced orifice cross section.

In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention the atleast one nozzle-shaped formation has a shaping that is flexible in theaxial direction and therefore has a component part stiffness that isreduced in such a way that an axial compression of the nozzle-shapedformation can be converted into a radial constriction movement in theregion of the formation.

So that the functional element used in accordance with the invention canlimit the volume flow rate to a fixed maximum value, it is expedient ifthe inflow-side end edge of the insert orifice in the support part, saidinsert orifice receiving a formation, delimits the pressure-inducedaxial relative movement of the functional part. Since the inflow-sideend edge of the insert orifice provided in the support part delimits thepressure-induced axial relative movement of the functional part, theconstriction movement in the region of the formation is also delimitedin a defined manner in such a way that the orifice cross section cannotbe any smaller than a minimum orifice cross section.

So that an axial relative movement of the formation can be convertedinto a radial constriction movement, it may be advantageous if the freeend edge of at least one formation rests against a stop of the supportpart, preferably against a stop face.

The simple constructional embodiment and the possibility for easyproduction of the functional element used in accordance with theinvention is further promoted if the functional part has a disk- orplate-shaped main body and/or if the functional part has a plurality offormations on the outflow side.

So that the peripheral wall provided in the functional element anddelimiting at least one throughflow orifice can move back practicallyautomatically into its form corresponding to the open position of the atleast one throughflow orifice in the event of decreasing water pressureas a result of the restoring force acting on the peripheral wall, it isprovided in accordance with a preferred embodiment for at least onespring element to serve as restoring force and for the restoring forceof the at least one spring element to be transmittable to at least twosub-regions of the dimensionally flexible peripheral wall, saidsub-regions being mutually distanced in the throughflow direction. Thisreturn spring or similar spring element serving as restoring force canact directly on the peripheral wall delimiting at least one throughfloworifice; it is also possible however for the peripheral wall to be heldon two mutually distanced component parts which are in turn held at adistance by at least one spring element. Here, the at least one springelement can be formed as a coil spring or as a rubbery-elastic springelement.

In accordance with an embodiment according to the invention that is tobe formed in a particularly simple and compact manner the restoringcomponent part stiffness of the peripheral wall of the at least onethroughflow orifice and/or the inherent resilience of the material usedfor the at least one peripheral wall is/are provided as restoring force.In this preferred embodiment a number of required spring elements can bereduced, or such spring elements can also be dispensed with entirely.Such an embodiment therefore promotes the simple construction andproduction of the functional element provided in accordance with theinvention and facilitates the compact and space-saving embodimentthereof.

In accordance with a particularly advantageous development according tothe invention the sanitary insert part is formed as a jet regulator, ofwhich the purpose is to form a consolidated complete jet at the wateroutlet of a sanitary outlet fitting.

With such an embodiment according to the invention, it may beadvantageous if the functional element of the insert part formed as ajet regulator is formed as a jet splitter that controls the throughflowrate. This jet splitter has the purpose of dividing the inflowing waterin the housing interior of the insert housing firstly into a pluralityof individual jets, before these individual jets are then combined againand formed into a consolidated complete jet at the water outlet of asanitary outlet fitting.

Where necessary, the insert part according to the invention can beembodied advantageously as an non-aerated jet regulator. In accordancewith a particularly advantageous and preferred embodiment according tothe invention however, the sanitary insert part is formed as an aeratedjet regulator and at least one aeration opening is provided on theoutflow side of the jet splitter on the inner periphery of the inserthousing and connects the housing interior to the ambient air. The waterflowing to the jet splitter located in the housing interior of theinsert housing experiences a speed increase in the region of the jetsplitter, said speed increase causing a negative pressure on the outflowside of the jet splitter in accordance with Bernoulli's equation. Due tothe negative pressure formed on the outflow side of the jet splitter,ambient air is drawn in via the at least one aeration opening providedon the housing periphery and can be mixed subsequently in the housinginterior of the insert housing with the water flowing through so as toform an effervescent water jet.

In order to additionally reduce the constructional and production outlayassociated with the functional element, it is expedient if thefunctional element is formed integrally on an inflow-side housing partof a jet regulator housing and if the inflow-side housing part can beconnected, preferably detachably, to an outflow-side housing part.

It is also possible however for the functional element and preferablythe functional part thereof to be embodied as an insert part that can beinserted into the insert housing and in particular into an inflow-sidehousing part, and for at least one sealing lug or similar sealingprotrusion to be provided on the insert housing or on the housing partand/or on the peripheral edge of the functional element or functionalpart formed on the inflow side as an insert part, said lug or protrusionproviding a radial seal between the insert housing or housing part onthe one hand and the functional element or functional part thereof onthe other hand. This at least one sealing lug prevents a leakage of atleast water on the sanitary insert part according to the invention.

It is expedient if at least one insert part of a jet control arrangementcan be inserted into the outflow-side housing part.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to the invention theoutlet end face of the outflow-side housing part forms ahoneycomb-cell-like orifice structure, a grid structure or a netstructure, said structure being embodied as a flow rectifier.

So that the functional part consisting of resilient material can changeits shape as a result of the pressure of the inflowing water or so thatthe material of said functional part can be displaced, it is expedientif a gap provided between the functional part and the support part isconnected via at least one ventilation channel to the ambient air andpreferably to the ambient air in the housing interior of the inserthousing.

Here, in accordance with a preferred embodiment according to theinvention the at least one ventilation channel penetrates the supportpart and has a channel opening, which is provided on the outflow side ofthe support part. Since a negative pressure is routinely produced on theoutflow side of the support part when the water flows through thethroughflow openings, the pressure difference is greatest even in theregion of this channel opening, such that the effect of the ventilationchannel is additionally promoted.

It is also possible however, either additionally or alternatively, forthe at least one ventilation channel to penetrate the functional partand to have a channel opening facing away from the gap, said channelopening being provided on the inflow side of the functional part.

In order to be able to easily change the orifice cross section of anythroughflow orifice in accordance with the pressure of the inflowingwater, it is provided in accordance with a preferred developmentaccording to the invention for the functional part and preferably thedisk- or plate-shaped main body thereof, in an unloaded startingposition, to be distanced from the support part and, under the pressureof the inflowing water, to approach the support part or bear against thesupport part against the restoring component part stiffness and/or theinherent resilience of at least one sub-region of the functional part.

In order to limit a restoring force effective in the starting positionto the main body of the functional part, said main body being moved inthe direction of the support part as a result of the pressure of theinflowing water, it is advantageous if the functional part is heldnon-displaceably at its outer peripheral edge region in the inserthousing.

Here, in accordance with a preferred embodiment according to theinvention, the functional part rests, via its outer peripheral edgeregion, on the adjacent peripheral edge region of the support part.

So that the functional part movable between an unloaded startingposition distanced from the support part on the one hand and a positionpushed in the direction of the support part on the other hand can bemoved back into the starting position with subsiding water pressure, itis advantageous if at least one preferably pin-shaped spacer is providedbetween the support part and the functional part and, under the pressureof the inflowing water, causes a resilient deformation of the functionalpart, said deformation being effective as restoring force. This spacer,for example, can be formed integrally in one piece on the outflow sideof the functional part and may likewise be produced from resilientmaterial, such that a spacer of this type that is pre-tensioned or actedon by pressure exerts a rubbery-elastic spring effect. In accordancewith an advantageous exemplary embodiment according to the invention, atleast one pin-shaped spacer is integrally formed in one piece on thefunctional part, on the outflow side thereof, and, under the pressure ofthe inflowing water, experiences a deformation acting as restoringforce.

By contrast, in accordance with another embodiment according to theinvention, the at least one spacer is formed integrally in one piece onthe inflow side of the support part. Here, it may be advantageous if thespacer engages or dips via its free pin end into a hat-shaped formationof the functional part and if the preferably thickness-reducedperipheral wall of the hat-shaped formation can be stretched in arubbery-elastic manner by the functional part moved under pressure inthe direction of the support part.

In accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment consisting ofa reduced number of component parts, the peripheral edge region of thefunctional part resting on the adjacent peripheral edge region of thesupport part is formed as a ring seal between the insert part and aninflow-side mating surface of an outlet fitting connectable to theinsert part.

So that the peripheral edge region of the functional part serving as aring seal cannot detach and deform unintentionally, for example as aresult of a rotary movement, during assembly of the insert partaccording to the invention on the water outlet of a sanitary outletfitting, it is expedient if the outer peripheral edge region of thefunctional part and the adjacent peripheral edge region of the supportpart can be fixed detachably to one another.

Here, in accordance with a preferred embodiment according to theinvention, the outer peripheral edge region of the functional partengages under at least one undercut on the adjacent peripheral edgeregion of the support part, and a detaching movement of the peripheraledge region, engaging under the undercut, of the functional part can beblocked by means of an inflow-side component part insertable at least inregions into the functional part, in particular by means of an add-onscreen. Due to the component part inserted into the functional part,said component part possibly being an add-on screen for example, theperipheral edge region of the functional part embodied as a ring seal isheld in its position, in which this peripheral edge region of thefunctional part engages under the undercut provided on the support part.

So that the run-on bevel provided on the free end region of anyperipheral wall and formed for example by a conical tapering of the freeend region of a nozzle-shaped formation can move over the correspondingmating bevel on the support part and can deform without being opposed byinterfering frictional forces, it is advantageous if the at least oneinsert orifice in the support part, in its conically tapering orificeportion, has slide formations that are distanced from one another in theperipheral direction, in particular are strip-shaped, are oriented withtheir longitudinal extension toward the orifice opening, and are actedon by the free end region of a nozzle-shaped formation of the functionalpart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Developments according to the invention will emerge from the descriptionin conjunction with the drawings. Preferred embodiments according to theinvention will be presented in greater detail hereinafter on the basisof the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a partly cut-away perspective illustration of a sanitaryinsert part embodied as a jet regulator having an insert housing, in thehousing interior of which a functional element serving as a jet splitteris provided and has an outflow-side support part and an inflow-sidefunctional part made of material that is resilient by comparison, aplurality of formations each delimiting a throughflow orifice beingformed integrally on said functional part and in each case protrudinginto an inflow-side molded portion in the support part in such a waythat an axial feed movement can be converted into a radial constrictionmovement in the free end region of any formation,

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective illustration of the constituentparts of the insert part from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a plan view on the inflow side of the inflow-side housingpart of the jet regulator according to FIGS. 1 to 2, said housing partbeing connected to the functional element formed as a jet splitter,

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the plane of section IV-IVin FIG. 3 of the inflow-side housing part from FIG. 3 connected to thefunctional element serving as a jet splitter,

FIG. 5 shows a detailed longitudinal section of the functional elementshown in FIG. 4 in the open position of the throughflow orificesthereof,

FIG. 6 shows a plan view on the inflow side of the inflow-side housingpart of the sanitary insert part according to FIGS. 1 to 3, said housingpart being connected to the functional element,

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section through the plane of section VII-VIIfrom FIG. 6 of the inflow-side housing part connected to the functionalelement serving as a jet splitter,

FIG. 8 shows a detailed longitudinal section of the functional elementalready shown in FIG. 7 with the throughflow orifices thereof in theminimum position,

FIG. 9 shows a sanitary insert part, formed comparably with FIGS. 1 to 8and likewise shown here in a partly cut-away perspective illustration,in which the nozzle-shaped designs formed integrally on the functionalpart of the functional element have a shaping that is flexible in theaxial direction and thus has a reduced component part stiffness in sucha way that an axial compression of the nozzle-shaped formations can beconverted into a radial constriction movement in the region of theseformations,

FIG. 10 shows an exploded perspective illustration of the constituentparts of the sanitary insert part from FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 shows a plan view on the inflow side of the inflow-side housingpart of the sanitary insert part according to FIGS. 9 and 10, saidhousing part being connected to the functional element,

FIG. 12 shows a longitudinal section through the plane of sectionXII-XII in FIG. 11 of the inflow-side housing part of the sanitaryinsert part according to FIGS. 9 and 10 formed as a jet regulator, saidhousing part being connected to the functional element,

FIG. 13 shows a detailed longitudinal section of the functional elementfrom FIG. 12 formed as a jet splitter in the open position of thethroughflow orifices thereof,

FIG. 14 shows a plan view on the inflow side of the inflow-side housingpart of the sanitary insert part according to FIGS. 9 and 10 formed as ajet regulator, said housing part being connected to the functionalelement serving as a jet splitter,

FIG. 15 shows a longitudinal section through the plane of section XV-XVin FIG. 14 of the housing part from FIG. 14, said housing part beingconnected to the functional element formed as a jet splitter,

FIG. 16 shows a detailed longitudinal section of the functional elementfrom FIGS. 14 and 15 serving as a jet splitter in the minimum positionof the throughflow orifices thereof,

FIG. 17 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the inflow-side housingpart comparable to FIG. 7 and connected to the functional elementserving as a jet splitter,

FIG. 18 shows the housing part from FIG. 17 in a detailed longitudinalsection in the region indicated in FIG. 17,

FIG. 19 shows the inflow-side housing part of the sanitary insert partaccording to FIGS. 17 and 18 formed as a jet regulator, said housingpart being connected to the functional element serving as a jetsplitter, wherein the plane of section of the longitudinal section shownin FIG. 17 is indicated in FIG. 19, and

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of the individual parts of thefunctional element from FIGS. 17 to 19 serving as a jet splitter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Three different embodiments 1, 100 and 101 of a sanitary insert part andof the main constituent parts thereof are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8,FIGS. 9 to 16 and FIGS. 17 to 20. The sanitary insert parts 1, 100, 101have an insert housing 2, which can be mounted directly or (as here)with the aid of an outlet mouthpiece (not shown further) on the wateroutlet of a sanitary outlet fitting. A functional element 3 formed as ajet splitter is provided in the housing interior of the insert housing 2and has a plurality of throughflow orifices 4, which divide theinflowing water into a corresponding plurality of individual jets.

At least one throughflow orifice 4 and preferably (as here) allthroughflow orifices 4 of the functional element 3 have a clear orificecross section free from obstacles and are delimited by a peripheralwall, the shape of which can be changed against a restoring force as aresult of the pressure of the inflowing water in such a way that the atleast one throughflow orifice 4 has a variable orifice cross sectionwhich can be changed, in accordance with the pressure of the inflowingwater, between an open position and a minimum position having a reducedorifice cross section by comparison. Here, the restoring component partstiffness of the at least one peripheral wall delimiting at least onethroughflow orifice 4 and/or the inherent resilience of the materialused for the at least one peripheral wall is provided as restoringforce. With increasing water pressure, the orifice cross section is thuslikewise increasingly reduced in such a way that, independently of thewater pressure, a specific fixed maximum volume flow rate is notexceeded. With decreasing water pressure, the orifice cross section isincreasingly enlarged again, such that, with a low initial pressure, theorifice cross section corresponding to the open position is provided.The functional element 3 formed as a jet splitter thus makes anadditional throughflow rate controller superfluous and can additionallydivide the inflowing water into a plurality of individual jets, whereinthe functional element 3 substantially promotes the compact and simpleembodiment of the insert parts 1, 100, 101 illustrated here.

The throughflow-controlling functional element 3 has a plurality ofthroughflow orifices 4, which are formed so as to promote flow and/or ina nozzle-shaped manner. Due to the high number of throughflow orifices 4in the functional element 3 and/or due to the flow-promoting embodimentof these throughflow orifices 4, a noise-generating stall is preventedin this region of the component parts 1, 100, 101, and an undesirabledevelopment of noise is thus avoided. The functional element 3 of thesanitary insert parts 1, 100, 101 thus combines within itself thefunction of an effective jet splitting on the one hand and an effectivethroughflow rate control on the other hand.

From a comparison of FIGS. 5 and 8 on the one hand and of FIGS. 13 and16 on the other hand, which show, by way of example, the throughfloworifices 4 provided in the functional element 3 in their open positionand in their minimum position having a reduced orifice cross section bycomparison, it is clear that a water pressure acting on the inflow sideof the functional element 3 at least in the region of the throughfloworifices 4 in the throughflow direction causes a change in shape, andhere a height reduction, of the functional element 3, which can beconverted into a radial constriction movement of the throughfloworifices 4.

The functional element 3, formed as a jet splitter, of the insert parts1, 100, 101 illustrated here is designed for this purpose at least intwo parts and has a functional part 5 made of resilient material and/orhaving a partially reduced component part stiffness and also has asupport part 6, bearing the functional part 5 and formed of a materialthat is dimensionally stable by comparison. The functional part 5 has adisk- or plate-shaped main body 30, on the outflow side of which aplurality of nozzle-shaped formations 7 protrude, which each form aperipheral wall delimiting a throughflow orifice 4. Each of thesenozzle-shaped formations 7 protrudes into an insert orifice 8 in thesupport part 6. Due to the number of throughflow orifices 4 in thefunctional element 3 and/or due to the shaping of the insert orifices 8in the support part 6, said insert orifices receiving the formations 7,the volume flow rate of the functional element 3 used in the sanitaryinsert parts 1, 100, 101 can be changed. It can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2,4, 7 and 20 that, for example, the support part 6 of the functionalelement 3 may comprise at least one ventilation channel having a channelopening 20, which here connects the gap 22 arranged between thefunctional part 5 and support part 6 to the region of the housinginterior of the insert part 1 arranged on the outflow side of thefunctional element 3. This at least one ventilation channel counteractsan excessively fixed adhesion of the functional part 5, formed here as acovering, to the support part 6, said adhesion otherwise potentiallyimpairing the return movement of the functional part 5 into the openposition of the functional element 3. Due to the at least one channelopening 20, leakage water located in the gap 22 between the functioncomponent 5 and support part 6 can also drain off The functional part 5of the functional element 3 used in the insert part 1 can be producedfor example from silicone or from another resilient material, saidmaterial having a comparatively low material stiffness.

It is indicated in FIGS. 1 to 18 that the at least one peripheral walldelimiting a throughflow orifice 4 has a shaping that converts anapplication of pressure, caused by the water pressure, in the axialdirection into a radial constriction movement of this peripheral wall.In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 and 17 to 18,the peripheral walls each delimiting a throughflow orifice 4 have arun-on bevel on the outer periphery at their free end region as orientedin the throughflow direction, said bevel cooperating with a mating bevelon the support part 6 in order to convert an application of pressure inthe axial direction into a radial constriction movement.

It can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 8 and in FIGS. 17 to 18 and in particularin FIGS. 5 and 18 that, for this purpose, each insert orifice 8 istapered, preferably conically, in the throughflow direction in such away that an axial feed movement of the nozzle-shaped formations 7 can beconverted into a radial constriction movement at least in the free endregion of these formations 7. The peripheral wall of the support part 6delimiting an insert orifice 8 tapers conically for this purpose at theoutflow-side end region thereof in such a way that the peripheral wallin this sub-region of the insert orifice 8 forms a mating bevel 9,which, in the event of a pressure-induced axial feed movement of thefunctional part 5 and of the formations 7 formed integrally thereon,deforms inwardly the free end regions, tapering conically so as to forma run-on bevel, of each formation 7 within the sense of a constrictionmovement.

In the exemplary embodiment 100 shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, thenozzle-shaped formations 7 by comparison have a shaping that is flexiblein the axial direction and thus additionally also has a reducedcomponent part stiffness in such a way that an axial compression of thenozzle-shaped formations 7 can be converted into a radial constrictionmovement in the region of the formations 7. The peripheral walls of theexemplary embodiment 100 shown in FIGS. 9 to 16, said walls forming theformations 7, also have a shaping that converts an application ofpressure, caused by the water pressure, in the axial direction into aradial constriction movement of these peripheral walls. The peripheralwalls provided in the exemplary embodiment 100, said walls eachdelimiting a throughflow orifice 4, for this purpose have a constriction10 with a peripheral bending zone 31 protruding into the throughfloworifice 4, and, in the event of an axial compression of the formations7, cause a radial movement of this bending zone 31 in the clear orificecross section of the throughflow orifice 4 concerned and thus define aradial constriction movement in the region of the central constrictions10. In order to promote an axial compression of the formations 7 formedintegrally on the functional part 5, the free end edge of each formation7 rests on a stop of the support part 6, said stop being formed here asa stop flange or stop face 11.

From a comparison of FIGS. 5 and 8 on the one hand and of FIGS. 13 and16 on the other hand, it can be seen that the inflow-side end edge 12 ofthe insert orifice 8 in the support part 6, said insert orificereceiving a formation 7, forms a stop, which delimits thepressure-induced axial relative movement of the functional part 5.Whereas the functional part 5 is located in the open position of theorifice cross section at a distance above the end edge 12 serving as astop, the functional part 5 in the minimum position of the orifice crosssection rests on this end edge 12, whereby the constriction movement isdelimited.

It can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 9 that the insert parts 1, 100, 101 areformed here as aerated jet regulators, of which the purpose is to form aconsolidated complete jet. Here, the functional element 3 of the insertparts 1, 100, 101 formed as jet regulators is formed as a jet splitterthat controls the throughflow rate. At least one aeration opening 32 isprovided on the housing periphery of the insert housing 2 on the outflowside of the functional element 3 serving as a jet splitter and connectsthe housing interior of the insert housing 2 to the ambient air. Since anegative pressure is produced on the outflow side of the jet splitterwhen water flows through the throughflow orifices 4, the ambient air isdrawn into the housing interior of the insert housing 2 through the atleast one aeration opening 32, where it is then formed, with the waterflowing through, into an effervescent water jet. Here, the support part6 of the functional element 3 formed as a jet splitter is formedintegrally in one piece on an inflow-side housing part 13 of the inserthousing 2. The inflow-side housing part 13 is connectable, heredetachably, to an outflow-side housing part 14; it is also possiblehowever to interconnect the housing parts 13 and 14 non-detachably, forexample by adhesive bonding or ultrasonic welding. The functional part 5borne by the support part 6, said functional part being inserted intothe housing part 13 from the inflow side and also possibly being formedas a resilient covering, comprises a sealing lug 21 on its peripheraledge, said sealing lug being intended to prevent an undesiredpenetration of leakage water into the gap located between the functionalpart 5 and support part 6.

The individual jets formed by the functional element 3 are acceleratedin such a way that a negative pressure is produced on the outflow sideof the functional element 3. Ambient air is drawn into the housinginterior due to the negative pressure generated on the outflow side ofthe functional element 3 and can be mixed there with the individualjets. The individual jets mixed thoroughly with ambient air are thenbraked with the aid of the at least one insert part 15, 16 of a jetcontrol arrangement, said insert parts 15, 16 being inserted from theinflow side into the sleeve-shaped outflow-side housing part 14. Theseinsert parts 15, 16 of the jet control arrangement may have a grid ornet structure formed of webs intersecting at crossing points. Once anoutflow-side flow rectifier 17 has been passed, said rectifier formingthe outlet end face of the housing part 14 and possibly having ahoneycomb-cell-like orifice structure or likewise a grid or netstructure, the outflowing water exits as a homogeneous, non-splashingand effervescent complete jet.

Since the channel opening 20 of the at least one ventilation channelpenetrating the support part 6 is arranged on the outflow side of thesupport part 6, and since the water flowing through the throughfloworifices 4 generates a negative pressure in this region, the pressuredifference with respect to the atmosphere is greatest in this region inorder to promote the ventilating effect of the at least one ventilationchannel.

The insert part 101 illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 20 corresponds largely interms of its design to the exemplary embodiments 1, 100, shown in FIGS.1 to 16. It can be clearly seen in FIGS. 17 and 18 that a gap 22 isprovided between the functional part 5, which consists of resilientmaterial, and the support part 6, which is dimensionally stable bycomparison, and can be ventilated by means of the at least oneventilation channel, penetrating the support part 6 here. In theunloaded starting position shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the disk- orplate-shaped main body of the functional part 5 is distanced from thesupport part 6, thus forming the gap 22. Under the pressure of theinflowing water, the main body of the functional part 5 approaches thesupport part 6, on the inflow side thereof, against the inherentresilience of the resilient material used therefore.

Here, the free end regions of the nozzle-shaped formations 7 are pressedagainst the peripheral wall of the associated insert hole 8 provided inthe support part 6, said peripheral wall forming a mating bevel 9 andtapering conically, in such a way that this axial movement of thefunctional part 5 and the change in shape thereto produced as a resultcan be converted into a radial constriction movement of the at least oneperipheral wall of the nozzle-shaped formation 7 said peripheral walldelimiting at least one throughflow orifice 4. With subsiding waterpressure, the functional part 5 moves back into its starting positiondistanced from the support part 6, wherein the throughflow orifices 4 inthe formations 7 again adopt their open position.

In order to exert a restoring force in the direction of the startingposition onto the functional part 5 pressed by the water in thedirection of the support part 6, the functional part 5 is heldnon-displaceably at its outer peripheral edge region in the inserthousing 2. To this end, the functional part 5 rests via its outerperipheral edge region 33 on the adjacent inflow-side peripheral edgeregion 34 of the support part 6.

It is clear from a comparison of FIGS. 18 and 20 that, as here, aplurality of spacers 25, 25′ are preferably provided between the supportpart 6 and the functional part 5 and are formed integrally in one pieceon the support part 6 on the inflow side. These spacers 25, 25′ cause aresilient deformation, effective as restoring force, of the functionalpart 5 produced from resilient material, such that, with subsiding waterpressure, a restoring force exerted by the inherent resilience of thefunctional part 5 is exerted onto the functional part 5 in the directionof the starting position, even in the regions of the pin-shaped spacers25, 25′. Whereas the spacer 25′ is arranged approximately centrally andprotrudes in a centering manner into a hat-shaped formation 23 on thefunctional part 5, the other spacers 25′ are arranged at the samedistance from the central spacer 25′ and at equal distances from oneanother. The peripheral edge region 33 of the resilient functional part5 held non-displaceably in the insert housing 2 and the spacers 25, 25′acting on the resilient main body of the functional part 5 form arubbery-elastic restoring force, which is effective in the direction ofthe starting position of the functional part 5. Here, the restoringforce can be set by a pretension applied to the functional part 5 duringinstallation in the insert housing 2. Such a pretension is produced forexample with a deformed installation of the functional part 5 and inparticular of the disk- or plate-shaped main body 30 thereof in theinsert housing 2. It is also possible for the free ends of the spacers25, 25′ to be acted on by the functional part 5 and in particular by themain body 30 thereof only at an increased water pressure, whereby a gapis produced in the unloaded state between the free ends of the spacers25, 25′ and the main body 30 of the functional part 5, and whereby thedesired restoring force is only activated in a delayed manner withincreasing water pressure. Instead, it is also possible however for thefunctional part 5 to rest, in particular via its main body 30, on thefree end faces of the spacers 25, 25′, such that these spacers 25, 25′,in the loaded region of the main body 30, cause a material extension ordisplacement with rising water pressure.

It is clear from FIG. 18 that the outer peripheral edge region 33 of thefunctional part 5 and the adjacent peripheral edge region 34 of thesupport part 6 can be fixed detachably to one another, such that theperipheral edge region 33 of the functional part 5 can act as arestoring tension spring on the function component 5. To this end, theouter peripheral edge region 33 of the functional part 5 engages underat least one undercut on the adjacent peripheral edge region 34 of thesupport part 6. The at least one undercut is provided here on aplurality of lug-shaped protrusions 35, which protrude beyond theinflow-side peripheral end edge of the support part. An inflow-sidecomponent part, which is formed here by an add-on screen 18, can beinserted into the functional part 5 in such a way that a detachingmovement of the peripheral edge region of the functional part 5 engagingunder the undercut is blocked.

The sanitary insert parts 1, 100, 101 are arranged downstream of theadd-on screen 18, which is connected to the housing part 17 on theinflow side thereof. The shape of the peripheral walls provided in thethroughflow-controlling functional element 3 and each delimiting athroughflow orifice 4 can be changed against a restoring force as aresult of the pressure of the inflowing water in such a way that thethroughflow orifices 4 have an orifice cross section which changescontinually in accordance with the pressure of the inflowing water. Dueto this flexibility of the functional element 3 produced at least in asub-region 5 from resilient material, a calcification and contaminationin this region of the insert parts 1, 100, 101 is counteracted. Sincethe functional part 5 rests in the minimum position of the orifice crosssection on the end edge 12 of the support part 6 serving as a stop, theconstriction movement of the throughflow orifices 4 is delimited, and acomplete closure of these throughflow orifices 4 is avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   sanitary insert part 1-   insert housing 2-   functional element 3-   throughflow orifice 4-   (inflow-side) functional part (of the functional element 3) 5-   support part 6-   formation 7-   insert orifice 8-   mating bevel (on the insert orifice 8) 9-   constriction 10-   stop face 11-   end edge (serving as stop) 12-   (inflow-side) housing part 13-   (outflow-side) housing part 14-   insert part (of the jet control arrangement) 15-   insert part (of the jet control arrangement) 16-   (outflow-side) flow rectifier 17-   add-on screen 18-   channel opening 20-   sealing lug 21-   gap 22-   spacer (on the support part 6) 25, 25′-   formation 26-   main body (of the functional part 5) 30-   bending zone 31-   aeration opening 32-   peripheral edge region (on the functional part 5) 33-   peripheral edge region (on the support part 6) 34-   protrusions (as undercut on the support part 6) 35-   sanitary insert part 100-   sanitary insert part 101

1. A sanitary insert part (1, 100, 101) comprising an insert housing(2), which (2) has in a housing interior thereof a functional element(3) that controls throughflow and that has at least one throughfloworifice (4), the at least one throughflow orifice (4) delimited by aperipheral wall, a shape of which is changeable against a restoringforce as a result of pressure of inflowing water such that the at leastone throughflow orifice (4) has a variable orifice cross section whichis changable, in accordance with the pressure of the inflowing water,between an open position and a minimum position having a reduced orificecross section by comparison.
 2. The insert part as claimed in claim 1,wherein the functional element (3) is formed at least in two parts andcomprises at least one functional part (5), comprising the at least oneperipheral wall delimiting the at least one throughflow orifice (4), anda support part (6) bearing the at least one functional part (5).
 3. Theinsert part as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support part (6) isproduced from a material that is at least one of dimensionally stablecompared with the functional part (5) on an inflow side or has an atleast partly higher component part stiffness by comparison.
 4. Theinsert part as claimed in claim 1, wherein a water pressure acting on aninflow side of the functional element (3) at least in a region of the atleast one throughflow orifice (4) in a throughflow direction causes aheight reduction of the functional element (3) that is convertible intoa radial constriction movement of the at least one peripheral walldelimiting the at least one throughflow orifice (4).
 5. The insert partas claimed in claim 1, wherein a water pressure acting on an inflow sideof the functional element (3) at least in a region of the at least onethroughflow orifice (4) in the throughflow direction causes a change inshape of the functional part (5) or a material displacement at thefunctional part (5) that is convertible into a radial constrictionmovement of the at least one peripheral wall delimiting the at least onethroughflow orifice (4).
 6. The insert part as claimed in claim 5,wherein the change in shape or material displacement caused by the waterpressure is an at least partial thickness reduction, cross sectionreduction, height reduction or compression of the functional part. 7.The insert part as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least oneperipheral wall delimiting one of the throughflow orifices (4) has ashaping that converts an application of pressure, caused by the waterpressure, in an axial direction into a radial constriction movement ofsaid peripheral wall.
 8. The insert part as claimed in claim 7, whereinto convert an application of pressure in the axial direction into aradial constriction movement, the at least one peripheral walldelimiting the throughflow orifice (4) either has, on an outer peripheryat a free end region thereof as oriented in the throughflow direction, arun-on bevel that cooperates with a mating bevel (9) on the support part(6), or has a constriction (10) with a peripheral bending zone (31)protruding into the throughflow orifice (4).
 9. The insert part asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one peripheral wall delimitingthe at least one throughflow orifice (4) is formed as a nozzle-shapedformation (7) of the functional part (5).
 10. The insert part as claimedin claim 9, wherein the at least one nozzle-shaped formation (7) of thefunctional part (5) dips into an insert orifice (8) in the support part(6).
 11. The insert part as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at leastone insert orifice (8) tapers in the throughflow direction such that anaxial feed movement of the nozzle-shaped formation (7) is convertibleinto a radial constriction movement in the region of the formation (7).12. The insert part as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least onenozzle-shaped recess (7) has a shaping that is flexible in the axialdirection such that an axial compression of the nozzle shaped formation(7) is convertible into a radial constriction movement in a region ofthe formation (7).
 13. The insert part as claimed in claim 11, wherein arelative movement, convertible into the radial constriction movement ofthe at least one peripheral wall delimiting the at least one throughfloworifice (4), between the functional part (5) and the support part (6) ofthe functional element (3) is delimited by at least one stop.
 14. Theinsert part as claimed in claim 10, wherein an inflow-side end edge (12)of the insert orifice (8) in the support part (6) delimits apressure-induced axial relative movement of the functional part (5). 15.The insert part as claimed in claim 2, wherein the functional part (5)has a disk- or plate-shaped main body (30).
 16. The insert part asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the functional part (5) has a plurality ofthe nozzle-shaped formations (7) on the outflow side.
 17. The insertpart as claimed in claim 16, wherein the outflow side of the functionalpart (5) and an adjacent flat side of the support part (6) are matchedto one another in terms of their shape.
 18. The insert part as claimedin claim 9, further comprising at least one spring element that providesrestoring force, and the restoring force of the at least one springelement is transmitted to at least two sub-regions of the peripheralwall, said sub-regions being mutually distanced in the throughflowdirection.
 19. The insert part as claimed in claim 1, wherein arestoring component part stiffness of the peripheral wall of the atleast one throughflow orifice (4) or an inherent resilience of thematerial used for the at least one peripheral wall provide a restoringforce.
 20. The insert part as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sanitaryinsert part (1, 100, 101) is formed as a jet regulator for aconsolidated complete jet at the water outlet of a sanitary outletfitting.
 21. The insert part as claimed in claim 20, wherein thefunctional element (3) of the insert part (1, 100, 101) formed as thejet regulator is formed as a jet splitter that controls a throughflowrate.
 22. The insert part as claimed in claim 21, wherein characterizedin that he sanitary insert part (1, 100, 101) is formed as an aeratedjet regulator, and at least one aeration opening (32) is provided on anoutflow side of the jet splitter on a housing periphery of the inserthousing (2) and connects a housing interior of the insert housing (2) tothe ambient air.
 23. The insert part as claimed in claim 1, wherein atleast one insert part (15, 16) of a jet control arrangement isinsertable into an outflow-side housing part (14) of the insert housing(2).
 24. The insert part as claimed in claim 23, wherein an outlet endface of the outflow-side housing part (14) forms a honeycomb-cell-likeorifice structure, a grid structure or a net structure that acts as aflow rectifier (17).
 25. The insert part as claimed in claim 2, whereina gap (22) provided between the functional part (5) and the support part(6) is connected via at least one ventilation channel to ambient air.26. The insert part as claimed in claim 25, wherein the at least oneventilation channel penetrates the support part (6) and has a channelopening (20), which is provided on an outflow side of the support part(6).
 27. The insert part as claimed in claim 25, wherein the at leastone ventilation channel penetrates the functional part (5) and has achannel opening (20), which is provided on an inflow side of thefunctional part (5).
 28. The insert part as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe functional part (5) and a disk- or plate-shaped main body (30)thereof, in an unloaded starting position, is distanced from the supportpart (6) and, under the pressure of the inflowing water, approaches thesupport part (6) or bears against the support part (6) against arestoring component part stiffness or the inherent resilience of atleast one sub-region of the functional part (5).
 29. The insert part asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the functional part (5) is heldnon-displaceably at an outer peripheral edge region thereof in theinsert housing (2).
 30. The insert part as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe functional part (5) rests, via an outer peripheral edge region (33)thereof, on an adjacent peripheral edge region (34) of the support part(6).
 31. The insert part as claimed in claim 2, wherein spacer (25, 25′)is provided between the support part (6) and the functional part (5)and, under the pressure of the inflowing water, causes a resilientdeformation of the functional part (5), said deformation being effectiveas restoring force.
 32. The insert part as claimed in claim 2, whereinat least one pin-shaped spacer is formed integrally in one piece on thefunctional part (5), on an outflow side thereof, and, under the pressureof the inflowing water, experiences a deformation acting as restoringforce.
 33. The insert part as claimed in claim 31, wherein the at leastone spacer (25, 25′) is formed integrally in one piece on an inflow sideof the support part (6).
 34. The insert part as claimed in claim 31,wherein at least one of the spacers (25′) engages via its free pin endinto a hat-shaped formation (26) of the functional part (5), and aperipheral wall of the hat-shaped formation is stretchable in arubbery-elastic manner by the functional part (5) moved under pressurein a direction of the support part (6).
 35. The insert part as claimedin claim 30, wherein the peripheral edge region (33) of the functionalpart (5) resting on the adjacent peripheral edge region (34) of thesupport part (6) is formed as a ring seal between the insert part (1,100, 101) and an inflow-side mating surface of an outlet fittingconnectable to the insert part (1, 100, 101).
 36. The insert part asclaimed in claim 30, wherein the outer peripheral edge region (33) ofthe functional part (5) and the adjacent peripheral edge region (34) ofthe support part (6) are detachably connected to one another.
 37. Theinsert part as claimed in claim 36, wherein the outer peripheral edgeregion (33) of the functional part (5) engages under at least oneundercut on the adjacent peripheral edge region (34) of the support part(6), and a detaching movement of the peripheral edge region (33),engaging under the undercut, of the functional part (5) is blockable byan inflow-side component part insertable at least in regions into thefunctional part (5).
 38. The insert part as claimed in claim 10, whereinthe at least one insert orifice (8), in its conically tapering orificeportion, has slide formations that are distanced from one another in aperipheral direction, and are acted on by a free end region of thenozzle-shaped formation (7) of the functional part (5).